210th Brigade Support Battalion conducts noncommissioned officer induction ceremony

By Staff Sgt. Mark A. Moore II, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO NCOICSeptember 10, 2015

210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2 BCT, 10th Mountain Div. NCO induction
Command Sgt. Maj. Elige Campbell Jr., senior enlisted adviser for 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, reminds 20 newly promoted noncommissioned officers assigned to 210th BSB of their commitment to coach, train and mentor future... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- In keeping with a time-honored military custom, 20 newly promoted noncommissioned officers of 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, took part in a ceremony Sept. 2 at Fort Drum that that welcomed them into the NCO Corps.

"The noncommissioned officer induction ceremony dates back to our early Army," said Command Sgt. Maj. Elige Campbell Jr., 210th BSB senior enlisted adviser. "It's important for younger Soldiers within our battalion to understand that history … so that we as an Army can continue tradition and build on our (NCO) Corps."

The traditions of commemorating the passing of Soldier to NCO can be traced to the army of Frederick the Great. Campbell reminded the newly appointed NCOs of their commitment to coach, train and mentor future leaders by administering the noncommissioned officer's charge, leading the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer and allowing inductees to pass through the "arch," symbolizing their transition into a leadership role.

"It (the ceremony) gives them something they can hold onto," Campbell said. "Coming onto the stage … and stating they are relevant and ready to lead gives them a sense of pride that they can lead our Soldiers in today's Army."

Sgt. Sean Gilson, an intelligence analyst assigned to 2nd BCT's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, described the ceremony as a poignant reminder of his responsibilities and what is expected of him as an NCO.

"You have to place your Soldiers' needs above your own," Gilson said. "Anything you ask them to do has to be something you're willing to do yourself. You must have their best interest in mind."

Those inducted are as follows: Sgt. Sean Gilson and Sgt. Rusty Starkweather, of HHC, 2nd BCT; Sgt. Jeffery Henry, Sgt. Antonio Koehler, Sgt. Harry Palomino, and Sgt. Dominique Welch, of HHC, 210th BSB; Sgt. Enrique Good-ridge, Sgt. Eric Lucas, Sgt. Brian Menard, and Sgt. Raul Nava, of A Company; Staff Sgt. Teresa Bocanergra, Staff Sgt. Matthias Fleming, Staff Sgt. Uris Burnett, Sgt. Tara Bowen, Sgt. Andrew Coglio, Sgt. Dallen Christensen, Sgt. Sara Morris and Staff Sgt. Lucas Wig, of C Company; and Sgt. Joseph Robles and Sgt. Melissa Williams, of E Company.